Euryops is the quintessential “fynbos daisy” – a genus of sun-loving shrubs and subshrubs that light up rocky hillsides and grasslands across southern Africa with masses of golden flowers. Belonging to the daisy family (Asteraceae), Euryops species are generally evergreen, drought-tolerant and long-lived, forming neat hummocks or woody mounds covered in fine, often aromatic foliage. When in bloom they can be almost completely smothered in bright yellow daisies, creating a haze of colour that draws in bees, butterflies and other pollinators.

In nature, many species grow in tough, exposed places – sandstone ridges, shale bands, gravel plains, mountain slopes and coastal scrub – where poor soils, wind and seasonal drought are the norm. These harsh origins make them exceptionally well suited to water-wise, low-maintenance gardens around South Africa and in dry-summer or Mediterranean-type climates worldwide. With their intricate foliage and generous flowering, they bridge the gap between ornamental shrubs and hardy steppe or rock-garden plants.

For gardeners and collectors, the genus offers remarkable diversity: from tiny, moss-like cushions to upright, architecturally branched shrubs; from fine, erica-like leaves to bold ferny foliage; from tight button heads to broad-rayed daisies. Grown from seed, Euryops is fast to establish, rewarding the patient grower with plants that are both resilient and spectacular, whether they’re anchoring a fynbos bed in the Cape, brightening a dry border in Gauteng, or bringing a taste of the South African veld to gardens overseas.

Euryops multifidus (Eriocephalus petrophiloides, Lasiocoma petrophiloides, Othonna multifida) – Hawk’s Eye, Hawkeye True-Eye, Sweet Harpuis, Resin Bush

Euryops multifidus, widely known in horticulture simply as “Euryops,” is one of the best-known species in the genus. Its finely divided, fern-like foliage forms a graceful, bushy shrub that stays green and fresh throughout the year. In bloom, it becomes a fountain of bright yellow daisies, often so numerous that they almost obscure the foliage beneath.

Native to the Cape region, Euryops multifidus is adapted to sandy, rocky, well-drained soils and coastal or near-coastal climates with winter rainfall and dry summers. It thrives in full sun and withstands wind and drought remarkably well, making it a staple in many South African gardens. Flowering is typically at its heaviest from late winter through spring, though plants may produce scattered blooms at other times in favourable climates.

Common names such as “Wild Euryops daisy” or simply “Euryops” are sometimes used loosely, but in trade it is usually sold under its botanical name. It is easily grown from seed and reaches flowering size quickly, making it a good choice for landscapers wanting fast, reliable colour. Internationally, Euryops multifidus is popular wherever water-wise, long-blooming shrubs are valued, fitting easily into Mediterranean, coastal and gravel gardens.